Sweat And The City

A recent report by Delhi-based think-tank, the Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC), examines whether India’s urban areas are ready for a warming world. Using satellite imagery, climate modelling, interviews with nearly 90 government officials, and vulnerability assessments, the report identifies the most at-risk areas and evaluates current heat resilience measures. While short-term measures like water distribution and altered work schedules offer temporary relief, the report reveals a lack of long-term heat resilience strategies. Rapid urban expansion, combined with inadequate planning, leaves vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and outdoor workers, at heightened risk.

Indian cities typically implement short-term measures during heatwaves, including increased water supply, adjusted work hours, and emergency healthcare. While essential, these measures address only the symptoms of the issue, not its root causes.

Aditya Valiathan Pillai, a visiting fellow at SFC and one of the authors of the report, says, “When a heatwave is declared, guidelines are issued for emergency measures, such as boosting health system capacity temporarily and distributing water to vulnerable populations. These short-term responses are implemented well with about 80% of local governments following the guidelines.” He adds, “The issue arises with long-term heat action plans, which have less influence because they lack legal backing, financing, and institutional support. Heat action plans aren’t integrated into the daily operations of local government, making them less effective.”

Divyashi Arora, a student at the Centre for Urban Policy & Governance, TISS, Mumbai, is an environmental researcher under the guidance of Dr Manjula Bharathy. She says, “Urban planning must prioritise long-term heat resilience by integrating green infrastructure and cooling design into city layouts. Solutions like cool roofs, vertical gardens, and passive cooling can reduce heat absorption and improve ventilation. It’s also vital to involve local communities in these efforts, particularly women, as they are often both the most affected by heat and the key to implementing sustainable solutions.”

Bhaumik Gowande, an urban planner, adds, “To overcome current coordination challenges, urban planners can adopt the concept of virtual cities using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a central tool. By continuously mapping temperature data, tree cover, building compliance (like the Energy Conservation Building Code), and infrastructure features, planners can pinpoint heat-vulnerable areas. This approach shall help in deploying targeted interventions; such as developing green corridors in high-heat zones.”

The SFC report highlights that India’s long-term heat resilience strategy is hindered by weak institutional support and fragmented governance. Many cities still lack robust resilience plans. Pillai stresses the importance of integrating heat resilience into urban planning: “Heat, while recognised as a problem, doesn’t usually trigger calls for policy changes until its health or economic impacts are already felt. To mitigate this, we need to focus on capacity-building within vulnerable sectors, like gig workers and street vendors.”

The report’s key recommendations include regulations for cooling infrastructure, such as reflective pavements, green roofs, and improved building designs. Technology can mitigate extreme heat in urban areas. Solutions like energy-efficient air conditioning, cool roofs, and reflective pavements can help reduce temperatures. But technology alone isn’t enough; it must be part of a broader strategy.

As temperatures climb, air conditioning is becoming a necessity. Kishore Chandra-sekharan, head of commercial air conditioning at Voltas, says, “The air conditioner market in India is still in its early stages, with only 8-10% of the population using ACs. As adoption rises, we expect the penetration rate to increase to 40-50% over the next decade, leading to more affordable and energy-efficient solutions.”

The report advocates for solar-powered cooling systems and renewable energy solutions to make air conditioning more sustainable. Pillai concurs: “Technologies like energy-efficient air conditioning and solar-powered cooling systems are essential, but they need to be integrated with urban greenery and sustainable building designs.” Cities that have combined green spaces with cooling technologies have seen lower temperatures compared to those relying solely on mechanical cooling.

India’s agricultural sector is under increasing strain due to rising heat. Pillai highlights the importance of agricultural resilience: Rising temperatures reduce crop yields, especially in regions dependent on rainfed agriculture. Moreover, increased irrigation during heatwaves strains water resources. Pillai points out key policy solutions: protecting crops, ensuring farmers have access to insurance for crop failure, and securing the cold chain to preserve produce after harvest.

Sanjeev Rohilla, chief general manager of the Department of Climate Action and Sustainability at NABARD, says, “Collaboration between the agricultural sector and policymakers is vital to developing robust, heat-resistant farming systems. Policies must promote research, development, and widespread adoption of climate-resilient crops and farming techniques. NABARD is developing business models to support climate adaptation through innovations such as agrivoltaics and climate-resilient crops, intending to build holistic resilience in Indian agriculture. The future of India’s agriculture depends on open, inclusive dialogue — between farmers, financial institutions, field officers, local bodies, and state governments.”